Berks County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Berks County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Prothonotary's Office at 633 Court Street in Reading, Pennsylvania. With a population of about 430,000, Berks County is one of the larger counties in the state. The Prothonotary serves as the chief clerk for the civil division of the Court of Common Pleas and holds all divorce petitions, decrees, and companion filings. Whether you are searching for a past divorce case or need a certified copy of a decree, this guide explains where the records are kept, how to access them, and what tools are available for online searches in Berks County.
Berks County Quick Facts
The Berks County Prothonotary and Divorce Records
The Berks County Prothonotary is the elected officer who acts as chief clerk of the civil division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary maintains administrative control over all official case documents and records, including those for dissolution of marriage cases. Pennsylvania has required county-level record keeping for divorce since 1804, and Berks County's records go back through the county's long history. The Prothonotary's Office is located on the second floor of the courthouse at 633 Court Street in Reading.
The Court of Common Pleas handles the full range of family law matters in Berks County, including divorce, property division, alimony, and child custody. These cases fall under the court's jurisdiction as outlined in Pennsylvania law. When a dissolution of marriage petition is filed, the Prothonotary assigns a docket number and creates a permanent case file that holds every document submitted to the court throughout the proceeding.
| Court | Court of Common Pleas, Berks County |
|---|---|
| Address | 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Reading, PA 19601 |
| Phone | (610) 478-6970 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.berks.pa.us/Dept/prothy |
The Clerk of Courts office is also located in the courthouse at 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601, phone (610) 478-6550. That office handles criminal records, while the Prothonotary handles civil and family law records.
Search Berks County Dissolution Of Marriage Online
The Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides free online access to Berks County civil case records, including dissolution of marriage cases. Searches can be done by party name or docket number. The portal shows filed documents, docket entries, and hearing dates. Many recent cases have full document images available through the portal, while older records may require a direct request to the Prothonotary.
The Berks County divorce records page on BerksRecords.us is a third-party resource that can help you begin your search. For certified copies of any document in the official file, you must contact the Prothonotary's Office directly. Required information includes the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the case, and the docket number if available. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for in-person requests.
The Berks County Prothonotary's Office in Reading maintains all civil case records including dissolution of marriage filings, and the first certified copy of a divorce decree costs $20.00 for each request.
Note: Certain sensitive details including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minor children are redacted from publicly released documents per Pennsylvania court rules.
Filing for Divorce in Berks County
The base filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in Berks County is $215.50 for a standard complaint. This figure applies to no-fault divorce filings under the grounds set out at 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. Additional counts for custody, equitable distribution, or alimony each carry their own separate charges. The Berks County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can be reached at (610) 375-4591 for those seeking legal counsel before filing.
To file, at least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months as required by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. Pennsylvania offers two no-fault divorce paths. Mutual consent divorce requires both spouses to sign an affidavit of consent, followed by a 90-day waiting period. Irretrievable breakdown applies when spouses have been separated for one year or more (for separations on or after December 5, 2016) and one party does not consent to the divorce. Fault grounds, including adultery, abandonment without cause for one year, cruel and barbarous treatment, and bigamy, remain available but are less commonly pursued.
The Berks County Family Court Self Help Center is an important resource for those handling a divorce without an attorney. The Berks County court system strongly recommends hiring a lawyer when possible. For residents who cannot afford legal fees, the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network may provide assistance.
When marital property is at issue, the case is governed by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502, Pennsylvania's equitable distribution statute. The court weighs many factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial situation, contributions to marital property, and future earning capacity. Equitable does not mean equal; the division aims to be fair given all the circumstances.
Berks County Divorce File Contents and Public Access
A dissolution of marriage file in Berks County typically includes the initial divorce complaint, proof of service on the other spouse, any responsive pleadings, financial affidavits when property is contested, any written agreements reached by the parties, a master's report if a hearing officer was assigned, and the final divorce decree signed by the judge. When custody or support is part of the case, those documents are also included or linked as companion cases.
These records are public under 65 P.S. § 67.101, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, but the court redacts sensitive personal information before release. The first certified copy of a decree costs $20.00. Subsequent copies are priced at the standard per-page rate set by the Prothonotary.
For genealogical or historical research into older Berks County divorce records, the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records guide provides guidance on locating records from previous centuries. The key terms used in Pennsylvania divorce law are defined at 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103, which is a useful reference for anyone reading a divorce file for the first time.
State Divorce Certificates for Berks County Cases
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records issues certified divorce certificates at the state level for $20 per copy. The mailing address is PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103-1528, and the phone number is (724) 656-3100. Online orders are available through VitalChek. The full ordering process is explained on the PA Department of Health Vital Records page. State certificates are commonly used for remarriage applications, name changes on Social Security cards and driver's licenses, and estate matters.
For full case documents from the Berks County court file, only the Prothonotary at 633 Court Street can issue certified copies. The PA Courts Berks County page provides additional information about the court's structure and contact information for the various offices within the courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Berks County is centrally located in eastern Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. Use the links below to access dissolution of marriage records in neighboring jurisdictions.